ABSTRACT
Attention has recently been drawn to the role of a biological factor in the high rates of HIV infection seen amongst young women (Reid & Bailey, 1992; Merson, 1993). This biological factor acts in addition to, and is amplified by, socioeconomic influences on adolescent sexual behaviour. This discussion presents a biological mechanism whereby the cervix may be a target area for HIV infection during adolescence; as a result of infection by other sexually transmitted pathogens and; during and after pregnancy. Policy implications for sexual health and HIV prevention programming are discussed and key questions for further investigation identified. Whilst the emphasis is on women of developing countries where HIV infection rates are highest, the mechanism is relevant to young women everywhere.
